Magnetic edge protector for a ski



Nov. 25, 1969 K. E. JOYCE 3,

MAGNETIC EDGE PROTECTOR FOR A SKI Filed Feb. 28, 1968 INVENTOR )ZFV/A/ 15. JZras ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,480,894 MAGNETIC EDGE PROTECTOR FOR A SKI Kevin E. Joyce, Bridge Hill, RED. 1, Davidsonville, Md. 21035 Filed Feb. 28, 1968, Ser. No. 709,067 Int. Cl. H01f 7/02 U.S. Cl. 335-303 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An elongated strip of flexible material having an L- shaped channel therein is magnetized along the channel. The flexible strip is positioned with respect to the metal edge of a ski such that the channel surfaces overlap the exposed portions of the edge causing the strip to adhere to the edge by magnetic action.

The present invention relates to a device for protecting the metal edge of a ski when the ski is not in use.

The metallic edges attached to the running surfaces of present day skis are, in their optimum condition, sharpened to an almost knife-like precision so that during turning movements the edges will carve the snow over which the skis are traveling. However, such sharpness requires that the skis be handled with considerable care when the skis are not in use. For example, it is not infrequent that cuts are incurred by people running their hands along a skis edge. Furthermore, ski edges often cause injury to property, and are themselves damaged, when they fall from a standing position. Another common problem involving metal edges is that of rust. A typical occasion for rust to develop on ski edges is when the skis are being transported on an automabile rack, particularly in inclement weather.

The present invention constitutes an inexpensive, convenient way of reducing the foregoing problems by protectively covering the skis metal edges.

Briefly, the invention comprises a length of flexible material formed'with an L-shaped channel which conforms with and overlaps the exposed surfaces of the metal edge of a ski. The channel surfaces are magnetized so as to hold the flexible material to the ski edge without requiring an adhesive.

The invention will be described in further detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmented view in perspective of a length of an edge protector for a ski;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a protector in overlapping relationship with respect to a ski; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmented view of a bottom of a ski with protectors covering both metal edges of the skis running surface.

Considering these drawings, FIGURE 1 shows an elongated strip of flexible material, such as rubber, polyvinylchloride or the like, having an L-shaped channel 12 formed therein. Magnetized areas 14 are located along the surface of the channel 12. These areas are formed, for example, by coating the channel portion of strip 10 with a binder carrying a permanently magnetizable material, such as a ferrite. The coating is then subjected to a magnetic field to drive the magnetizable material to a permanent state of magnetization. Areas 14 are also obtainable by the application of commercially available magnetized flexible tape, having an adhesive backing, to the channel surfaces of strip 10. By mixing a magnetizable substance with the raw materials for the strip 10 prior to extruding same, and thereafter appropriately subjecting the extruded strip to a magnetic field, the strip is magnetized along its channel. Additionally, areas 14 are 3,480,894 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 formed by embedding permanent magnets along the channel of strip 10.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1 the magnetized areas 14 are illustrated as covering portions of both surfaces forming the L-shaped channel 12. The purpose of this is to firmly attract the strip 10 to the edge of the ski. This can be appreciated better by reference to FIGURE 2 which shows the cross-section of a ski 16- having edges 18 aflixed to both sides of the running surface 20. Each strip 10 is positioned with its L-shaped channel 12 substantially conforming with the skis side surface 22 and its running surface 20. The strips 10 are dimensioned to overlap the exposed surfaces of the edges 18. The magnetized areas 14 are located on the surfaces of channel 12 so as to be in juxtaposition with the exposed surfaces of edges 18 to thereby magnetically hold the strips 10 to the edges. With the strips so disposed, the sharp portions of the edges are protected from rust and damage, and the possibility of injury to persons or property by the edges is reduced.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a section of the running surface of ski 20 at its shovel portion. The flexible strips 10 are illustrated in :position overlapping the edges of the ski. Strips 10 extend to a tip protector 24 which covers the forwardmost portion of most present day skis. Usually such a protector 24 is formed of chrome or stainless steel having blunt edges. Therefore, it is not critical that protector 24 be covered by strips 10.

To facilitate the handling of the two strips 10 which in the preferred embodiment of the invention are used to cover the separate edges of a ski, the ends of each strip are joined. One form of such an arrangement is illustrated in FIGURE 3 and comprises a loop of material 26, either expansible or otherwise adjustable in size, passing through eyelets 28 at the ends of strips 10.

In use, the loop material 26 is slipped over the tip of the ski and the channels 12 of strips 10 are positioned to overlap the metal edges 18 along substantially the entire length of the ski. The attraction between strips and edges caused by the magnetized areas 14 retains the strips firmly in protective relationship with respect to the edges 18. The loop 26, which closely surrounds the ski tip, also assists in retaining the strips 10 in place at their ends. To remove the edge protectors, the flexible strips 10 are merely peeled away from the edges. The strips can then be compactly rolled for storage.

The foregoing description is of a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is apparent that a number of alternatives are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of employing two flexible strips 10 per ski, as described with reference to FIGURE 3, a single extended length could be utilized. Furthermore, although spaced magnetized areas 14 are illustrated in FIGURE 2, it should be appreciated that the surfaces of channel 12 can be magnetized along substantially their entire lengths. Of course, it is also possible to provide magnetization on only one of the surfaces of the L-shaped channel 12 of strip 10, rather than on both channel surfaces, as specifi cally described hereinbefore. In addition, the ends of the strips 10 at the tail of the ski could also be joined by means such as are shown at 26 and 28 in FIGURE 3.

The structure disclosed herein is an example of an arrangement in which the inventive features of this disclosure may be utilized, and it will become apparent to one skilled in the art that certain modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A protector for exposed surfaces of a metal edge on the running surface of a ski, comprising:

(a) an elongated strip of flexible material having an L-shaped channel extending therealong, the channel defining surfaces dimensioned to overlap the exposed edge surfaces; and

(b) permanently magnetized material along at least one surface of said channel, said material being located in juxtaposition with an exposed edge surface when the strip is positioned such that its channel surfaces overlap the edge surfaces.

2. A protector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said magnetized material is carried in a binder coated on said channel surface.

3. A protector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said magnetized material comprises flexible magnetic tape having adhesive backing holding the tape to the channel surface.

4. A protector as magnetized material bedded in said strip.

5. A protector as magnetized material set forth in claim 1, wherein said comprises permanent magnets emset forth in claim 1, wherein said is a magnetizable substance intermixed with the raw material of the flexible strip prior to the formation of said strip and subjected to a magnetic field thereafter.

6. A protector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said magnetized material is located along the two surfaces defined by said L-shaped channel.

7. A protector as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a loop attached to one end of said strip and adaptable to be slipped over an end of said ski.

8. A protector as set forth in claim 7 wherein said loop is variable in size.

.9. A protector as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for joining said strip at at least one end to a corresponding end of a second strip substantially identical to the first mentioned strip.

10. A protector as set forth in claim 9, wherein said joining means is a loop adaptable to be slipped over an end of said ski.

11. A protector as set forth in claim 10 wherein said loop is variable in size.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS G. HARRIS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 280--11.37 

